Teams, Coaches and Coordinators:

The Catoctin-Dulles showcase is fast approaching! We are excited to see you and your teams on Saturday, April 30 at Loudoun Valley HS: 340 N Maple Ave, Purcellville, VA 20132. A few final notes before the tournament:

  • Logistics
    1. You should check in at your long term and spontaneous site 20-30 minutes prior to your performance. Please do not check in any earlier, to avoid crowding.
    2. We are trying to minimize crowded areas, so please do not hang out in highly-trafficked hallways like performance hallways.
    3. You may want to view other teams’ performances – this is okay! However, do your best to space out if you can. We tried hard to find large venues to give everyone a safe way to enjoy the day. 
    4. Finally, if – even after taking all precautions, someone contracts COVID after the event, please remember to email rd@nwvoices.org as soon as possible so that we may notify participants that they may have been exposed.
    5. There will be limited concessions at the event, including problem pins. However, all concessions will be CASH/CHECK ONLY. Please come prepared.

 

  1. Forms
    1. We encourage teams to bring a copy of all the forms that would be required for a normal tournament (Outside Assistance, Cost Form, Style Forms, Required team list – see your problem for details and read, read and re-read the program guide!) While we don’t absolutely need them, it’s good practice for next year and it helps our judges know what to look for in their solution. Our staging judge will review the forms, but we are not watching the paperwork as closely as we would during a traditional tournament. 
    2. Please have each of your team fill out an emergency form. These need not be turned in; keep them with you during the tournament just in case they are needed. The forms can be downloaded here: https://nwvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Emergency-Care-form-Dulles-2020.pdf
    3. Media Release: We’d love to be able to share photos of the day on our website or with the local press, but want to ensure we have the right permissions. As LCPS does, we are going to an opt-out model. Please complete this form, indicating the team’s agreement or opt-outs, and turn it in with their team paperwork at staging. The document can be found here: https://nwvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Media-Release-Region-14-16-Opt-out.pdf

 

  1. Performances
    1. Teams will arrive at the staging area 20-30 minutes prior to their  time slot. 
    2. Performance slots are 40 minutes.
    3. During staging, the staging judge will review the forms, and the team will be asked the standard questions about flash photography and videography; additionally, this year they will also be asked if they prefer that the judging team wear masks when interacting with the team.
    4. The team will perform their long-term problem first in the normal way. At the conclusion of the long-term performance, the judges will come speak to the team to ask them about their solution and admire their props and scenery up close.
    5. After the conversation, the team will then perform a spontaneous problem in the same location as the long term problem. New this year: all seven team members are invited to participate. Unlike in traditional years, the audiences will get to watch the spontaneous performance. Coaches and parents – take advantage of this unique opportunity to watch creativity in real time! 
      1. Additionally, other teams may see the spontaneous performance, so if they’d like to be surprised when it is their turn to do spontaneous, they may opt to leave the room before it begins.
    6. At the conclusion of the spontaneous problem, the judging team will provide feedback, sticky notes and recognize the terrific work of the team!

 

  • Judging:
    1. While traditional judging and scoring will not occur, experienced judges will be on hand to be an engaged audience, and will provide the teams feedback via sticky notes. 
    2. Because this is a showcase and not a tournament, our judging teams will be focused on things that delighted them, and will be more open to providing feedback that might be considered outside assistance in a normal year. If the team chooses to ask for ideas on what they could have done better, or on whether they fully met specific problem requirements, our judges will be happy to address those questions..
      1. CAVEAT: If you are a team going to Worlds, we will strictly observe Outside Assistance rules, and will be exceptionally limited in our questions and feedback. We want you to do well there on your own merits, not because we helped!  
    3. Participation certificates are available on the website for you to print and hand out to your team. It will be available under the Tournament menu heading at https://nwvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022_Participation_Certificate.pdf. 
    4. While there is no scoring and no awards for students this year, we will still recognize their performances with a ribbon and provide judging feedback. 

 

  • Enjoying the day 
    1. If you need assistance during the day, be on the lookout for our tournament director in a bright yellow logo polo shirt, and our board members in light blue logo polo shirts. First aid can be found at the information desk, and tournament directors and board members are contactable if immediate help is required. 
    2. We owe a special thank you to the staff of Loudoun Valley High School. They have graciously welcomed us into their school with open arms, and we are appreciative of their generosity. Do your best to thank them for their hospitality by treating the school well: clean up after yourselves, and leave the school even better than you found it. Whether it’s food, make-up or props – make sure it is cleaned up. Additionally, take care in the performance spaces. Be mindful of equipment like Promethean boards, musical instruments, things on the stage, gymnasium floors and the cafeteria. 

Finally, and most importantly – HAVE FUN! You’ve worked really hard, now SHOW IT OFF! We can’t wait to see what you’ve dreamed up for us! Good luck and enjoy the day!

Sheryl Lemma and Tom Coate

Regional Co-directors, Regions 14 & 16

Odyssey of the Mind

rd@nwvoices.org

Click here for the schedule